Diego Palacios has quietly built one of the most well-traveled careers among Ecuadorian footballers of his generation.
From the youth pitches of Guayaquil to MLS Cup glory with LAFC and a move to Brazilian football, “Chiqui” has earned his reputation as a reliable, attack-minded left-back.
In this article, you’ll find everything about Diego Palacios’ net worth, his salary history, current contract, and career earnings across multiple continents.
Diego Palacios’ Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diego José Palacios Espinoza |
| Date of Birth | July 12, 1999 |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Nationality | Ecuadorian |
| Height | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Left-Back |
| Current Club | Universidad Católica (on loan from Corinthians) |
| Turned Professional | 2014 |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary (LAFC, 2023) | ~$486,000 USD |
| Nickname | Chiqui |
Early Life & Career
Diego José Palacios Espinoza was born on July 12, 1999, in Guayaquil, Ecuador — a city that has produced more than its share of South American football talent.
Growing up in the port city, Palacios developed his game with youth club CS Norte América before joining Deportivo Azogues, where he made his senior debut in Ecuador’s Segunda Categoría in 2014 as a teenager.
After a short spell back at Norte América, Palacios caught the attention of SD Aucas, one of the more prominent clubs in Quito.
He moved there in 2016 following a partnership between the clubs, spending time in the youth setup before earning a first-team opportunity.
By 2017, he was making regular appearances in Ecuador’s top-flight Serie A, developing the attacking instincts from left-back that would define his professional identity.
His performances at Aucas opened doors internationally. In July 2018, Palacios agreed a season-long loan to Dutch Eredivisie club Willem II — a significant step for a teenager from Ecuador.
He made his Eredivisie debut on August 11, 2018, playing the full 90 minutes against VVV-Venlo.
That same year, in October 2018, he earned his first senior call-up for the Ecuador national team in a friendly against Qatar, capping a breakout year that had taken him from Ecuador’s Serie A to European football.
Professional Career
Palacios’ loan spell at Willem II caught the attention of clubs in North America.
On August 12, 2019, he signed with Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer — a deal that would define the peak years of his career.
At LAFC, he slotted in as the starting left-back under coaches Bob Bradley and later Steve Cherundolo, becoming a key figure in one of MLS’s most ambitious clubs.
His time in Los Angeles brought real silverware. In 2022, Palacios was a central part of LAFC’s historic MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield double — the club’s first-ever MLS Cup title, won in a dramatic penalty shootout against Philadelphia Union.
That same year, he earned a spot in the MLS All-Star Game, recognition of his consistency and quality at the left-back position.
According to MLS Soccer’s official coverage, Palacios recorded 1 goal and 12 assists across 102 regular-season appearances for LAFC, making him one of the more productive defenders in the league over that stretch.
After setting a career-high 34 appearances in 2023 and logging 2,881 minutes in the regular season, Palacios departed LAFC on a free transfer at the end of the year.
In January 2024, he signed a contract with Brazilian Série A club SC Corinthians — a major move that brought him to one of South America’s biggest footballing institutions.
He went on to win the Paulista A1 title with Corinthians in 2025. Since January 2026, he has been on loan at Ecuadorian club Universidad Católica, returning to his home country.
According to his transfer history on Transfermarkt, his contract with Corinthians runs through December 31, 2027.
On the international stage, Palacios has accumulated 12 caps for the Ecuador national team, with no international goals to date.
He was part of the Ecuador U20 squad that won the CONMEBOL U20 Championship in Chile in 2019 and represented La Tri at the Copa America.
Diego Palacios’ Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Diego Palacios’ has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
He built this wealth through professional football contracts spanning Ecuador, the Netherlands, the United States, Brazil, Ukraine, and back to Ecuador — a career path that has kept him earning steadily since turning professional at age 14.
Contract
Palacios signed a free-transfer deal with SC Corinthians on January 2, 2024, after his LAFC contract expired.
According to Capology’s salary database for Corinthians, his contract runs until December 31, 2027.
Since August 2025, he has been on loan at Ukrainian Premier League club Karpaty Lviv, and from January 2026 he moved on a further loan to Ecuadorian Serie A side Universidad Católica, where his loan is set to run until the start of 2027.
His registered market value on Transfermarkt sits at approximately €2.0 million, reflecting his experience and consistent performances at the top level.
Salary
During his final full season at LAFC in 2023, Palacios earned an annual salary of approximately $486,000, as reported by the MLS Players Association salary guide.
This made him a mid-tier earner in MLS terms — below the Designated Player threshold but well above the league minimum.
For reference, LAFC’s 2023 average salary sat above $387,000, placing Palacios above the club average.
His salary figures at Corinthians and subsequent loan clubs are not publicly disclosed, though Brazilian Série A salaries for international defenders at top clubs typically sit between $250,000–$600,000 annually.
Career Earnings By Year
| Year | Club | Estimated Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2016–2017 | SD Aucas | ~$25,000 |
| 2018–2019 | Willem II (loan) | ~$80,000 |
| 2019–2020 | Los Angeles FC | ~$250,000 |
| 2020–2021 | Los Angeles FC | ~$350,000 |
| 2021–2022 | Los Angeles FC | ~$420,000 |
| 2022–2023 | Los Angeles FC | ~$486,000 |
| 2023–2024 | Los Angeles FC | ~$486,000 |
| 2024–2025 | Corinthians | ~$350,000 (est.) |
| 2025–2026 | Karpaty Lviv / U. Católica (loan) | ~$200,000 (est.) |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–2017 | SD Aucas | Ecuador Serie A | ~25 | 0 | ~2 |
| 2018–2019 | Willem II (loan) | Eredivisie | 26 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | Los Angeles FC | MLS | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | Los Angeles FC | MLS | 17 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | Los Angeles FC | MLS | 24 | 0 | 3 |
| 2022 | Los Angeles FC | MLS | 31 | 0 | 5 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles FC | MLS | 34 | 1 | 5 |
| 2024–2025 | Corinthians | Série A / Paulista | Various | 0 | ~2 |
| 2026 | Universidad Católica | Ecuador Serie A | Ongoing | 0 | 0 |
| International | Ecuador | Various | 12 | 0 | 0 |
FAQs
What is Diego Palacios’ net worth?
Diego Palacios’ estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million. He earned most of it through his four-year career with LAFC and his subsequent move to Corinthians.
What is Diego Palacios’ annual salary?
During his final MLS season in 2023, he earned around $486,000 per year at LAFC. His current salary at Universidad Católica.
Which clubs has Diego Palacios played for?
He has played for SD Aucas, Willem II (loan), Los Angeles FC, Corinthians, Karpaty Lviv (loan), and now Universidad Católica on loan. He also represents Ecuador internationally.
Did Diego Palacios win any trophies?
Yes. He won the 2022 MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield with LAFC and the 2025 Paulista A1 title with Corinthians. He also won the CONMEBOL U20 Championship with Ecuador U20 in 2019.
Is Diego Palacios playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Palacios has 12 Ecuador senior caps. Whether he makes the World Cup squad depends on the national team coach’s selections; no official confirmation of his inclusion has been announced.
